2012 Seat Altea Freetrack technical specifications

115
Lights and visibility
Daytime lights*
The daytime light reduces the risk of accidents by increasing
the visibility of the vehicle. The daytime running lights are
enabled automatically when the ignition is switched on. It is
automatically switched off when the side lights are turned
on.
Daytime lights (halogen lamps) 1)
The daytime lights increase road safety in vehicles fitted with halogen
lamps. These include the dipped, side and number plate lights.
The daytime lights are switched on each time the ignition is turned on if the
light setting is in position 0 or . Depending upon the model, a control
lamp  on the light control switch or the lighting up of the instrument pan-
el will indicate that the daytime lighting is on.
It is not possible to switch the daytime lights on or off. Please contact a spe-
cialised workshop if you wish to deactivate the lights.
Daytime lights (bi-xenon lamps)
The daytime lights increase road safety in vehicles fitted with bi-xenon
lamps. The lights are built-in separately to the headlights and are switched
on each time the ignition is turned on if the light setting is in position 0 or
.
Automatic control of the dipped beam in combination with the daytime
lights (bi-xenon headlights)
If the dipped light control and the daytime lighting are activated at the
same time, the dipped lights and the instrument panel lighting will auto-
matically come on as required (e.g. on entering a tunnel) and the daytime
lights will go off. When the automatic dipped light control switches off the dipped lights (e.g. on coming out of the tunnel), the daytime lights come
back on.
Activating the daytime lights
With the ignition switched off, move the turn signal and main beam lever
upwards and back (right turn signal and headlight flash).
Switch on the ignition for 3 seconds while holding this position. The day-
time lights are activated and can be switched on.
Deactivating the daytime lights
With the ignition switched off, move the turn signal and main beam lever
upwards and back (left turn signal and headlight flash) and hold in this po-
sition.
Switch on the ignition for 3 seconds while holding this position. The day-
time lights are deactivated and cannot be switched on.
Activating daytime lights (bi-xenon lamps)
Remove the key from the ignition, move the turn signal lever upwards (right
turn signal) and press it backwards to flash position and hold it in this posi-
tion.
Insert the key and switch the ignition on, holding it in this position for 3
seconds. Then, switch off the ignition. The daytime lights are activated and
can be switched on.
Deactivating daytime lights (bi-xenon lamps)
Remove the key from the ignition, move the turn signal lever upwards (left
turn signal) and press it backwards to flash position and hold it in this posi-
tion.
Insert the key and switch the ignition on, holding it in this position for 3
seconds. Then, switch off the ignition. The daytime lights are deactivated
and cannot be switched on.

1)
It is only available in some countries or as an optional extra
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Lights and visibility
Instrument and switch lighting / Headlight range control
Fig. 73 Dash panel: reg-
ulation for instrument
and switch illumination
and headlight range con-
trol
Instrument and switch lighting 1
When the headlights are switched on, the brightness of the instruments
and switch lighting can be regulated to suit your requirements by turning
the thumb wheel
⇒ fig. 73 1
.
The instrument lighting (dials and needles), the centre console illumination
and the illumination of the displays are regulated by a photodiode incorpo-
rated in the instrument panel.
The instrument lighting (dials and needles) is switched on when the igni-
tion is on and the vehicle lights are off . The instrument lighting is dimmed
automatically as the daylight starts to fade. It goes out completely when the
ambient light level is very low. This function is intended to remind the driver
to switch on the dipped beam headlights in good time when light condi-
tions become poor.
Headlight range control 2
By using the electrical headlight range control, 2 you can adjust the head-
light range to the load level that is being carried in the vehicle. This way, it is possible to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic more than necessary. At the
same time, by using the correct headlight settings, the driver has the best
possible lighting for the road ahead.
The headlights can only be adjusted when the dipped beam is switched on.
To lower the beam, turn the thumb wheel down
2
from the basic setting
0.
Dynamic headlight range control
Vehicles with gas discharge bulbs (“xenon bulbs”) are equipped with dy-
namic headlight range control . This means that the headlights will be ad-
justed to suit the load level of the vehicle and “nodding movements” when
pulling off and braking are automatically compensated for.
Vehicles with gas discharge bulbs do not have headlight range control. 
Adaptive headlights* (for driving round bends)
When driving around bends, the headlights will light the
most important areas of the road.
Fig. 74 Cornering light-
ing using adaptive head-
lights 
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Lights and visibility
7. Always take the vehicle key with you when you leave the vehi- cle.
Switch on the hazard warning lights to warn other road users, for example
when:
● reaching the tail end of a traffic jam,
● there is an emergency
● your vehicle breaks down due to a technical fault,
● you are towing another vehicle or your vehicle is being towed.
All turn signals flash simultaneously when the hazard warning lights are
switched on. That is that the two turn signal turn signal lamps   and the
turn signal lamp in the switch  will flash at the same time. The hazard
warning lights also work when the ignition is switched off.
Emergency braking warning
If the vehicle is braked suddenly and continuously at a speed of more than
80 km/h, the brake light flashes several times per second to warn vehicles
driving behind. If you continue braking, the hazard warning lights will come
on automatically when the vehicle comes to a standstill. They switch off au-
tomatically when the vehicle starts to move again.
WARNING
● The risk of an accident increases if your vehicle breaks down. Always
use the hazard warning lights and a warning triangle to draw the atten-
tion of other road users to your stationary vehicle.
● Never park where the catalytic converter could come into contact with
inflammable materials under the vehicle, for example dry grass or spilt
petrol. This could start a fire!
Note
● The battery will run down if the hazard warning lights are left on for a
long time, even if the ignition is switched off.
● The use of the hazard warning lights described here is subject to the rel-
evant statutory requirements. 
Turn signal and main beam headlight lever
The turn signal and main beam lever also operates the park-
ing lights and the headlight flasher.
Fig. 76 Turn signal and
main beam headlight lev-
er
The turn signal and main beam headlight lever has the following
functions:
Switching on the turn signals
– Move the lever all the way up ⇒ fig. 76 1
to indicate right, and
all the way down 2 to indicate left. 
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Lights and visibility
Interior lights
Front interior light type 1
Fig. 77 Interior roof trim:
front interior lights
The switch A
⇒ fig. 77 is used to select the following positions:
Courtesy light position 
Rocker switch in flat position (not activated). The interior lights are automat-
ically switched on when the vehicle is unlocked or the key removed from the
ignition. And turn off approx. 20 seconds after closing the doors. The interi-
or lights are switched off when the vehicle is locked or when the ignition is
switched on.
Interior light switched on 
Push the switch to the position .
Interior light switched off O
Push the switch to position O ⇒ fig. 77.
Note
If not all the vehicle doors are closed, the interior lights will be switched off
after approx. 10 minutes, providing the key has been removed and the cour-
tesy light position selected. This prevents the battery from discharging. 
Front interior light type 2
Fig. 78 Interior roof trim:
front interior lights
The switch A
⇒ fig. 78 is used to select the following positions:
Courtesy light position 
Rocker switch in flat position (not activated). The interior lights are automat-
ically switched on when the vehicle is unlocked or the key removed from the
ignition. And turn off approx. 20 seconds after closing the doors. The interi-
or lights are switched off when the vehicle is locked or when the ignition is
switched on.
Interior light switched on 
Push the switch to the position . 
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Lights and visibility
Rear interior and reading lights*
Fig. 81 Interior roof trim:
rear interior lights and
reading lights.
The switch ⇒ fig. 81 C
is used to select the following positions:
Interior light switched off 0
In switch position ⇒ fig. 81 1
, the interior and reading lights are switched
off.
Switching on the reading light 
Turn the switch to position 2
(left reading light) or to position 4 (right
reading light).
Courtesy light position 
Turn the control to position 3
. The interior lights are automatically switch-
ed on when the vehicle is unlocked or the key removed from the ignition.
The light turns off about 20 seconds after closing the doors. The interior
lights are switched off when the vehicle is locked or when the ignition is
switched on.
Interior lights or both reading lights switched on 
Turn the control to position 5
.
Note
If not all the vehicle doors are closed, the interior lights will be switched off
after approx. 10 minutes, providing the key has been removed and the cour-
tesy light position selected. This prevents the battery from discharging. 
Visibility Sun visors
Fig. 82 Sun visor on the
driver side
The sun visors for the driver and the front passenger can be pulled out of
their mountings in the centre of the vehicle and turned towards the doors
⇒ fig. 82 1
The vanity mirrors in the sun visors have covers. When you open the cover
2, a lamp in the roof lights up.
The light* in the roof lining will go out when the vanity mirror cover is push-
ed back or the sun visor is pushed back up. 
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Lights and visibility
short intervals. Four wiper interval stages can be set using
switch A
.
Slow wipe
– Move the lever up to position 2
.
Continuous wipe
– Move the lever up to position 3
.
Short wipe
– Move the lever down to position 4
to give the windscreen a
short wipe. The wiper will start to move faster if you keep the
lever pressed down for longer than two seconds.
Wash and wipe automatic system 
– Pull the lever towards the steering wheel - Position 5
. The
wash function will start immediately and the wipers will start
with a slight delay. The wash and wiper systems will function at
the same time at speeds of over 120 km/h.
– Release the lever. The wipers will keep running for approximate-
ly four seconds.
Heated windscreen in the wiper blade area*
In some countries and with some versions, there is the possibility of heat-
ing the windscreen in the area of the windscreen wiper blades in order to
aid de-icing in the zone. The function is switched on by pressing the heated
rear window key .
WARNING
● Worn and dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and safety levels while
driving.
● In cold conditions, you should not use the wash / wipe system unless
you have warmed the windscreen with the heating and ventilation sys-
tem. The washer fluid could otherwise freeze on the windscreen and ob-
scure your view of the road.
● Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒ page 229, Changing
windscreen wiper blades.
CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blades are not frozen to the
glass before using the wipers for the first time. If you switch on the wipers
when the wiper blades are frozen to the windscreen, you could damage
both the wiper blades and the wiper motor.
Note
● The windscreen wipers will only work when the ignition is switched on.
● In certain versions of vehicles with alarms, the windscreen wiper will on-
ly work when the ignition is on and the bonnet closed.
● When in use, the wipers do not go as far as the rest position. When the
lever is moved to position 0, they are totally hidden.
● The next speed down will automatically be selected if speed ⇒ fig. 84
2
or 3 is selected when the vehicle stops. The set speed will be resumed
when the vehicle starts again
● The windscreen will be wiped again after approximately five seconds
once the “automatic wipe/wash system” has been operated, provided the
vehicle is in transit (drip function). If you activate the wipers less than three
seconds after the drip function, a new wash sequence will begin without the
last wipe. For the “drip” function to work again, you have to turn the ignition
off and then on again. 
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Lights and visibility
Rear window wiper 
The windscreen wiper lever operates the windscreen wiper
and the wash and wipe system for the rear window.
Fig. 87 Windscreen wip-
er and windscreen wash
lever: rear window wiper
Switching on the interval wipe
– Press the lever forwards to position 6
⇒ fig. 87. The wiper will
wipe the window approximately every 6 seconds.
Switching off the interval wipe function
– Pull the lever back from position 6
towards the steering wheel.
The wiper will continue to function for a short period if you
switch off whilst the wipers are in motion.
Switching on the windscreen wiper and washer system
– Press the lever fully forwards to position 7
⇒ fig. 87. The wash
function will start immediately and the wiper will start with a
slight delay. The windscreen wash system will function as long
as you hold the lever in this position. –
Release the lever. The wiper then wipes for approximately 4 sec-
onds, and then in intervals again.
– Release the lever. The washer system stops and the wipers
function.
WARNING
● Worn and dirty wiper blades reduce visibility and safety levels while
driving.
● Always note the corresponding warnings on ⇒ page 229, Changing
windscreen wiper blades.
CAUTION
In icy conditions, always check that the wiper blade is not frozen to the
glass before using the wiper for the first time. If you switch on the wiper
when the wiper blade is frozen to the glass, this could damage both the
wiper blade and the wiper motor.
Note
● The windscreen wiper will only function when the ignition is switched on
and the tailgate is closed.
● In reverse gear, with the windscreen wipers switched on, the rear wind-
screen wiper will make one wipe. 
Headlight washer*
The headlight washers clean the headlight lenses. The headlight washers are activated automatically when the windscreen
washer is used and the windscreen wiper lever is pulled towards the steer-
ing wheel for at least 1.5 seconds – provided the dipped beam headlights 
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Lights and visibility
Note
● The automatic anti-dazzle function will only work properly if the sun
blind* for the rear window is retracted and there are no other objects pre-
venting light from reaching the rear view mirror.
● If you have to stick any type of sticker on the windscreen, do not do so in
front of the sensors. Doing so could prevent the anti-dazzle function from
working well or even from working at all. 
Exterior mirrors
The exterior mirrors can be adjusted using the rotary knob
in the centre console.
Fig. 89 Controls of exte-
rior mirrors
Basic setting of exterior mirrors
1. Turn knob ⇒ fig. 89 to position L (left exterior mirror ).2. Turn the rotary knob to position the mirror so that you have a
good view to the rear of the vehicle.
3. Turn knob to position R (right exterior mirror ).
4. Swivel the rotary knob to position the mirror so that you have a good view to the rear of the vehicle ⇒ 
.
Heating the exterior mirrors*
– Turn the knob forwards to the central position 1
so that the
heated rear view mirrors warm up and the heated windscreen*
in the wiper blade rest area is activated ⇒ page 125.
– The exterior mirror heating is not activated in temperatures
above approximately 20 °C.
Folding in exterior mirrors*
– Turn the control ⇒ fig. 89 to position  to fold in the exterior
mirrors. You should always fold in the exterior mirrors if you are
driving through an automatic car wash. This will help prevent
damage.
Folding exterior mirrors with convenience control*
– The exterior mirror will fold back automatically with conven-
ience closing (with the remote or the key)
– To unfold it again, open the door and use the contact
Folding exterior mirrors back out to the extended position*
– Turn the knob to another position to fold the exterior mirrors
back out ⇒ 
. 
Safety FirstOperating InstructionsPractical TipsTechnical Specifications